HERE WE GO AGAIN

Today is the 21st of August, 2020 and I have decided once again to endeavour to make contact with others in the blogging world whom I have neglected rather badly of late.  My original blog appears to have somehow been compromised so I have moved over to my Dear Mum and Dad blog which I hope will work.

We are into about our 6th month of this dreadful virus which is causing so much sorrow around the world.  We in Western Australia are very fortunate and have not had a person to person infection for well over 100 days and I feel we have our W.A. government to thank for that and their management of the pandemic.  There are certain persons who want to tear our borders down and I wish they would think about other people's well being and not just about money. We had a large number of persons from two ships who had the virus and we had of course to make sure we took care of them  Many other cases of the virus were people from other states or from overseas.  They have all had to isolate for weeks in hotels taken over for that purpose.

When I saw our GP near the beginning of this pandemic he advised me to cancel any appointments for at least 3 months and even then was very cautious and advised to wait until about August before seeing other medical people.   

Our hair grew very shaggy but we allowed our hairdresser to come in July so we would be shorn and are seeing her every 6 weeks.  She comes to our home so we didn't have to go out to a salon etc.  Our cleaning lady was also allowed to return in July so our houses is tiny little cleaner although I think we did quite a job over the 2 months without a cleaner.

I had postponed my appointment with my endocrinologist but saw him on Wedneaday and today I went and saw an optician as I so badly need new glasses.  Next week we both go to see our podiatrist.  I have managed to reach my larger toes using an emery board so no real problems but hubby has been a bit cautious about me helping him so is well and truly in need of a pedicure.

We were sorry to miss a couple of family birthdays but have had visits from our two granddaughters and two of our great-granddaughters and daughter Karen and her hubby have called a couple of times so not completely isolated.

I find my computer keeps me in touch with family and the outside world and I would be lost without it.  If anyone does read this do please let me know as I would like to know if is going to work or not.  Thank and wherever you are please stay safe. 

A SPECIAL DAY

Hi Mum
Rarely a day goes by when you are not in my thoughts but, when I woke this morning, I had very special thoughts of you as today it is 118 years since you were born at 7 Ruskin Avenue, Little Ilford, East Ham in London, England.  It is also just over 30 years since you left us on 7 January, 1985.

I know one of your very favourite flowers  was the sweet pea.  I remember the countless times when I visited you I would return home with a bunch of those beautiful flowers freshly picked from your garden.

You lived a very varied and active life for nearly 88 years and you did so much for many people during your life in social welfare work but above all you were a wonderfully unselfish mother to me and a fantastic grandmother to my two children.  I miss you still and I know for sure your granddaughter is thinking of you today. xxxx

AN ANNIVERSARY

Hi Dad

My thoughts were of you when I woke up this morning.   It is the 129th anniversary of your birth in London, England.   T'was within the sound of Bow Bells you were born which makes you a true cockney and the twang was still there in your speech many years after when you were quite an old man.

It amazes me that here I am well into the 21st century and I remember so many people born in the 19th century, like yourself born in 1885.  I can remember as a child, when you would tell me stories of your life as a boy in London.  After all, you were born in the time of Jack the Ripper and if we can believe films set in that period (and I know British films are pretty authentic) life was so completely different back then.

Your dad was a wheelwright and employed several men so I know you lived quite a happy life and had a good education and eventually a very good position with the Sugar Commission as Chief Clerk during WW1.  That of course, is where you met mum and I am so glad you did.

I have always been so thankful you emigrated to Australia and chose me as your daughter in 1932 when you lived on the farm down in Narrikup.   You were wonderful parents....I couldn't have chosen better myself.

There is a total eclipse of the moon tonight and I will look on it as a special celebration of you and your life.  Thanks dad for just being you and looking after me so well.  Although you departed this mortal coil 43 years ago you are in my thoughts nearly every day.  Still miss you so much.

Love as always  xxx

4th AUGUST 2014

Hi there both of you.....I woke early this morning and for some reason my mind was very active so no returning to the land of dreams.  One thought stood out more than any other and that was the date...4th August.   It is one hundred years today since the beginning of World War 1.  These are the thoughts that were running through my mind as I thought of you this morning.

You were both living in London and you Mum were 17 and Dad you were 28.  I was wondering just how you both felt when you heard the news.  I know that you Mum were living at home with your mother and you sister was married with a little boy and her husband went to fight in that terrible war and fortunately came home to tell of it all.

You at that time Dad worked as Chief Clerk at the Sugar Commission and you had a wife and a little boy.   Tragically not long afterwards your wife died and left you a widower.  I believe you did try to enlist in various services but were turned down on medical grounds.  Was it your hearing perhaps as I do know you always had ear problems.  I also understand though that you were classified as having a reserved occupation which would restrict you from joining up anyway.  It must have been very frustrating for you and I can only hope you were never criticized for not being in uniform.

I know Mum you had an important position also at the Sugar Commission as Secretary to one of the bosses and that of course is how you met DAD, and before the war ended the two of you were married.    It being wartime no photographs were taken and you were lucky to even have a wedding cake but you did manage a short honeymoon away which must have been wonderful for you.

I also remember you telling me that London was bombed (not nearly as badly as in World War 2 of course) but it still must have been terribly scary for everyone.  I do so wish I had asked more when I was young but we don't think to do so and are left wondering about so many things.  I recollect Mum you telling me you would still go out into the streets and keep under cover of the awnings of the shops but would hear the shrapnel bouncing off the roofs during the air raids.  I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like.

All I can say is I am so glad the two of you did get together, managed to stay safe and decided to emigrate to Western Australia and eventually found me in 1932.

You are both still in my thoughts nearly every day.....two very wonderful and loving people.

xxxxx

MUM.....A SURPRISE FOR YOU

Hi Mum

Sorry I've neglected you but it's been fairly quiet of late but now I've just thought of something I think should delight you, something you richly deserved, so let me tell you about it.

After your death in January 1985 the Soroptomist Club, with whom you had been so much involved, decided they would like to organise some type of memorial to you so they approached the King's Park Board who explained it was not often that type of thing was done in the park.  I have no idea what decided them but eventually it was agreed that there would be a jarrah seat with a plaque in your memory. This is the plaque that was decided upon:

First of all the seat overlooked the women's memorial lake and fountain but then it was moved for the use of people who walked the many trails through the park for them to rest on.  I think this is a beautiful setting for your seat:

This is Len and Jean resting on you seat when they visited Kings Park in 1986:

Nearly 16 years ago I visited the seat and found it had been painted green which I suppose will hopefully preserve it longer.  With me were my daughter, #2 granddaughter and (at that time) my only great-granddaughter.  Of course photos were taken and here we are, all taking it in turns to sit on your seat.

Unfortunately I can no longer walk to where the seat is/was situated but I must ask if any of the family are in Kings Park again if they would kindly check to see if the seat is still there.

I think you realised all your family were always very proud of you and still are.  You were always there for me when I was young and in your later years you were there for them as well, plus you did so much good for the greater community.  You packed so much into your nearly 88 years on this earth which reminds me, next Monday week will be the 117th anniversary of your birth in London, England.  I have always been so very glad you and dad decided to emigrate to Australia and become my parents.

NOTE:  Len was mum's step-son and Jean was his wife.

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS DAY

Dear Folks

Another Christmas Day has dawned, warm and sunny although today is going to be quite a lot cooler than the last 4-5 Christmas days.  As usual you are both very much in my thoughts this morning as are Len and Jean too.  I know we were a very small family but I have such happy memories of my youth. Right now we would be staying at Mandurah House and enjoying the company of the people that stayed there year after year at Christmas and Easter.  I think we did that each year from when I was 8 till I was about 20.  They were wonderful times but I now realise why we never decorated a tree at home nor did we have decorations.  We just weren't going to be there!!  It took me a few years as an adult to get used to doing Christmas in my home.  It still feels somewhat strange at times, even after all the years that have passed.

We are going to K & B's this afternoon for an easy, light evening meal.  All the family will be there..C & M and their two beautiful little girls; A and her partner C and of course not forgetting lovely CT who is now 17 and has left school.  We are not sure yet of what she will do in her future but we have high hopes for her. B is of course now living in Alaska and we have sent greetings to them all.  They will likely enjoy a snowy Christmas.  L should also be there.  It was his birthday last week; he is now 31.
With the little ones it is still great fun watching them open their gifts with lots of excitement.

The main reason we are going to Kelmscott is K had a knee replacement last week.  She is doing quite well and B is of course looking after her like the great husband he is.  She and I are so fortunate in having two great people who care so much and give so much of themselves.  Of course if K gets tired during the day she can pop on her bed and have a rest.  We are all taking food so hopefully she will not overdo it but somehow I don't think she will.  She has been following order and doing exercises and all you are supposed to do after such an operation.

Oh well, must go.  Have a few things to do to be ready to drive up there this afternoon.  I did wonderfully well this year and had gifts bought and mainly wrapped a couple of weeks ago but ran a little late sending out greeting cards but eventually got them all done, just in time.

Merry Christmas to you both with love xxxxxx

BACK IN C.A.B. DAYS

Hi Mum

I was going through some very old photographs yesterday and I came across this one of you taken sitting at a desk in the Citizen's Advice Bureau in Murray Street, Perth.

I know that wasn't actually your desk (as you had your own office) but the photos were taken for a journalist who was writing an article for The West Australian or The Sunday Times (I forget which now) newspaper about the Citizen's Advice Bureau which you first started in 1962.  I recognise Muriel Haning (on the left) who was your loyal secretary until your forced retirement as CAB Director after that fearful accident in 1973 when you were nearly killed by that wayward car driver.

I remember you actually began the CAB in a tiny office in what was one of our largest department stores, Boans (long ago taken over by Myer who decided not to continue with the household name we all knew so well), when Mr Harry Boan thought the idea of a Citizen's Advice Bureau based on those in England would be a good idea for our city.  Nobody could imagine how well the idea would take off and yet you developed it into what it has become today.

I think people doubted whether the CAB would be able to continue in Perth without your leadership, but thrive it did and you would be so pleased to know there are now branches throughout Western Australia.  There are five branches in the metropolitan area and also four in the country, as far away as Albany, Busselton, Bunbury and Mandurah.

I am so proud of you for all the wonderful social welfare work you did over many years and this is certainly one of which I am extremely proud because of the wonderful assistance it gives to people.

You may be interested to know that I was invited to a luncheon held in a Perth hotel several years ago (just because I was your daughter would you believe and had information about the formation of the CAB they were pleased to have) to celebrate some anniversary (perhaps 40 years?) of the CAB.   I asked Karen to come along as my guest as she loved you so much and was also very proud of you. When we went in would you believe we were ushered to the table at the front of the room where the VIPS were seated.  It was a wonderful lunch and they asked me to draw the raffle they were holding to raise money.  Hats off to you Mum.

Love you always
    x x x x x